Neornithes Gadow, 1893 - living birds
   Neognathae Pycraft 1900 see Cohort Neognathae Pycraft, 1900
     Neoaves Sibley et al. 1988 see Subcohort Neoaves Sibley et al., 1988
       [Order] Ciconiiformes Bonaparte, 1854
         Family Ardeidae Leach, 1820 - herons, bitterns and egrets
           Subfamily Ardeinae Leach, 1820
             Genus Ardea Linnaeus, 1758
               Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 - great egret
                 1 Ardea alba alba Linnaeus, 1758
                 2 Ardea alba modesta Gray, 1831
                 3 Ardea alba melanorhynchos Wagler, 1827
                 4 Ardea alba egretta Gmelin, 1789